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EAST    ENTRANCE    OF    EXECUTIVE   MANSION 
wn 

MARC  A  !   ' 


ILLUSTRATED    WITH    SYMB( 
BORDERS    AND    REPRODUCTJ 


\AO\?MKU   'A^UV 


^TMKSVTV.H    T 


PRESIDING  LADIES 


OF  THE 


WHITE    HOUSE 


CONTAINING 

BIOGRAPHICAL  APPRECIATIONS  TOGETHER 
WITH  A  SHORT  HISTORY  OF  THE 
EXECUTIVE  MANSION  AND  A 
TREATISE  ON  ITS  ETIQUETTE  AND  CUSTOMS 

BY 

LILA    G.    A.   WOOLFALL 

WITH    AN    INTRODUCTION    BY 

MARGARET    E.    SANGSTER 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  SYMBOLIC 
BORDERS  AND  REPRODUCTIONS 
IN  PHOTOGRAVURE  OF  THE 
FIRST  LADIES  OF  THE  LAND 


Published  by 
BUREAU    OF    NATIONAL    LITERATURE    AND    ART 

Washington,   D.   C, 


COPYRIGHT,    1903,    BY 
BUREAU    OF    NATIONAL    LITERATURE    AND    ART 


CONTENTS 


CONTENTS 


INTRODUCTION 

MARTHA  WASHINGTON JQ 

ABIGAIL  ADAMS 2, 

MARTHA  JEFFERSON  RANDOLPH 27 

DOROTHY  PAINE  MADISON 31 

ELIZABETH  KORTRIGHT  MONROE 35 

LOUISA  CATHERINE  ADAMS        .........     39 

RACHEL  DONELSON  JACKSON 43 

ANGELICA  VAN  BUREN 4-7 

ANNA  SYMMES  HARRISON 51 

LETITIA  CHRISTIAN  TYLER 55 

SARAH  CHILDRESS  POLK 59 

MARGARET  SMITH  TAYLOR -63 

ABIGAIL  FILLMORE 67 

JANE  APPLETON  PIERCE -yj 

HARRIET  LANE 75 

MARY  TODD  LINCOLN .     79 

ELIZA  MCCARDLE  JOHNSON 83 

JULIA  DENT  GRANT 87 

LUCY  WARE  WEBB  HAYES 91 

LUCRETIA  RUDOLPH  GARFIELD 95 

MARY  ARTHUR  MC£LROY .          99 

FRANCES  FOLSOM  CLEVELAND 103 

CAROLINE  SCOTT  HARRISON          .        .        .        .         .        .        .        .         107 

IDA  SAXTON  McKiNLEY 1 1 1 

EDITH  KERMIT  CAROW  ROOSEVELT .        115 

THE  WHITE  HOUSE 121 

The  East  Room 122 

The  Blue  Room   .         . .12=} 

The  Red  Room 125 

The  Green  Room         . .126 

State  and  Private  Dining  Rooms 126 

The  Library .         .         _  129 

The  Executive  Office 129 

OFFICIAL  ETIQUETTE 135 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 


EAST  ENTRANCE  OF  EXECUTIVE  MANSION       ....          Frontispiece 

ADAMS,  ABIGAIL 

ADAMS,  LOUISA  CATHERINE 

CLEVELAND,   FRANCES  FOLSOM 

FILLMORE,  ABIGAIL 

GARFIELD,   LUCRETIA  RUDOLPH 

GRANT,  JULIA  DENT 

HARRISON,  ANNA  SYMMES         .        .        .         • 
HARRISON,  CAROLINE  SCOTT 

HAYES,  LUCY  WARE  WEBB 

JACKSON,  RACHEL  DONELSON 
JOHNSON,   ELIZA  MCCARDLE 
LANE,  HARRIET 
LINCOLN,  MARY  TODD 
MADISON,  DOROTHY  PAINE 
MCELROY,  MARY  ARTHUR 

McKiNLEY,   IDA  SAXTON 

MONROE,   ELIZABETH  KORTRIGHT 
PIERCE,  JANE  APPLETON 
POLK,  SARAH  CHILDRESS 

RANDOLPH,  MARTHA  JEFFERSON 

ROOSEVELT,  EDITH  KERMIT  CAROW 
TAYLOR,  MARGARET  SMITH 
TYLER,  LETITIA  CHRISTIAN 
VAN  BUREN,  ANGELICA 
WASHINGTON,  MARTHA 


BLUE  ROOM .        .        125 

EAST  ROOM 121 

THE  LIBRARY 130 

STATE  DINING  ROOM  .  .126 


INTRODUCTION 


INTRODUCTION 

AMERICA  stands  to-day  among  the  greatest  and  most  progressive 
of  the  nations  of  the  earth;  and  as  the  law  of  nations  from 
earliest  times  has  been  the  decline  and  fall  of  one,  as  another 
rises  to  preeminence,  it  would  seem  that  this  great  land  of  ours  is  fast 
soaring  towards  the  highest  pinnacle  of  national  attainment. 

If  a  nation  is  great,  it  is  made  so  by  the  men  who  make  and  enforce 
its  laws,  who  fill  its  positions  of  trust,  who  manipulate  its  finances,  and  who 
prove  worthy  citizens  of  the  land  of  their  birth  or  adoption. 

And  who  are  responsible  for  the  men  ? 

Are  not  the  women,  the  wives  and  mothers  of  the  nation,  the  bearers 
of  this  great  burden  of  responsibility  ? 

No  nation  has  ever  risen,  or  can  rise  above  the  level  of  its  women, 
and  in  no  other  country  is  this  truth  more  obviously  demonstrated  than  in 
our  own  beloved  and  favored  land. 

Reasoning  thus,  we  find  that  the  American  woman  not  only  holds  a 
high  position  of  trust,  but  it  is  conceded  by  all  who  know  her,  that  she 
fills  it  worthily,  and  is  capable  of  meeting  the  varied  demands  upon  her 
with  rare  tact  and  skill. 

There  are  no  women  in  the  world  to-day  who  are  more  truly  the 
cynosure  of  all  eyes,  than  are  our  own.  They  stand  in  the  glare  of  public 
life  in  the  highest  circles  of  their  own  land,  and  are  closely  allied  to  royalty 
abroad,  participating  in,  or  presiding  at,  many  of  the  functions  of  almost 
every  foreign  court,  and  everywhere  the  homage  which  is  their  due  is  freely 
accorded  them. 

13 


INTRODUCTION 

There  are  two  attributes  of  the  American  woman  which  are  undeniably 
predominant  in  her  nature,  and  these  are  adaptability  and  individuality. 

They  are  displayed  by  the  members  of  all  ranks  and  classes,  but 
probably  the  twenty-five  women  who  form  the  coterie  of  "  First  Ladies  of 
the  Land "  in  our  republican  court  at  Washington,  have  had  as  great,  if 
not  greater,  opportunities  for  exercising  these  qualities  than  any  who  have 
entered  only  into  court  life  abroad. 

"  Noblesse  oblige "  is  true  in  all  stations  of  life,  whether  it  be  the 
nobility  of  honorable  living  or  of  high  social  birth,  but  in  royal  circles 
there  is  a  code  of  etiquette  which  is  enforced  from  generation  to  gener- 
ation, just  as  royal  sons  and  daughters  are  born  to  royal  parents,  and  so 
its  followers  abide  by  its  mandates  as  a  matter  of  course.  In  a  democratic 
country  like  America,  no  such  rule  obtains,  for  the  children  of  a  President 
of  the  United  States,  after  their  father's  term  expires,  may  relapse  into 
social  inconspicuousness  and  seldom  appear  before  the  public,  instead  of,  as 
in  royalty,  inheriting  their  father's  official  greatness. 

We  have  but  one  instance  of  the  son  of  a  President  following  in  his 
father's  footsteps,  and  only  one  where  a  grandson  did  likewise.  The 
wife  of  a  President  may  have  been  born  in  affluence  and  social  prominence, 
or  she  may  have  passed  her  early  years  in  the  humblest  environment, 
as  was  the  case  with  a  number  of  the  women  who  have  presided  at  the 
White  House,  but  in  every  instance  the  duties  of  hostess  have  been  faith- 
fully and  creditably  discharged,  while  natural  ease,  grace  and  tact,  combined 
with  this  wonderful  power  of  adaptation,  have  rendered  the  hospitality  of  the 
White  House  unquestionably  refined,  and  marked  by  the  highest  breeding. 

Some  of  the  women  who  have  held  this  exalted  position  have  been  called 
to  it  while  little  more  than  young  girls,  and  others  have  assumed  its  respon- 
sibilities and  obligations  late  in  life,  yet  all  have  upheld  the  dignity  of  the 
nation  of  whose  social  life  they  were,  for  the  time  being,  the  highest  exponents. 

Can  this  always  be  said  of  the  life  at  foreign  courts? 

When  we  consider  the  laxity  and  licentiousness  of  some  of  the  so- 
called  nobility,  and  the  freedom  of  royal  personages  in  their  accepted  code 


INTRODUCTION 

of  morals,  we  realize  that  the  life  at  the  White  House  at  Washington, 
makes  for  all  that  is  pure  in  social  life,  having  had  no  breath  of  scandal 
attaching  to  it  in  all  the  years  since  its  establishment,  and  having  set  an 
example  of  moral  righteousness  for  all  the  homes  in  the  country  at  whose 
head  it  stands. 

The  individuality  of  each  hostess  has  left  its  imprint  upon  the  history 
of  her  time  from  the  pomp  and  ceremony  of  Martha  Washington's  regime, 
to  the  greater  freedom  from  restraint  of  that  of  "  Dolly  Madison."  We 
hear  also  of  the  extreme  "  simplicity  "  of  Jefferson's  administration  and  the 
social  festivities  which  marked  Mrs.  Grant's  residence  at  the  White  House. 
Mrs.  Polk  abolished  dancing,  while  Mrs.  Hayes  banished  wine,  from  their 
entertainments.  Mrs.  Fillmore  founded  the  library,  for  of  books  there  were 
none  when  she  was  installed  as  mistress  of  the  White  House ;  and  Mrs. 
McKlroy  marked  the  administration  of  her  brother,  Chester  A.  Arthur, 
with  the  acme  of  refined  hospitality. 

The  list  might  be  prolonged,  but  instances  enough  have  been  cited  to 
show  that  while  the  women  who  preside  over  the  nation's  home  at  Wash- 
ington, must  conform  to  certain  accepted  rules  of  etiquette,  there  is  left 
sufficient  scope  for  each  to  display  individual  tastes  and  characteristics, 
without  in  any  way  lowering  the  tone  of  the  social  life  of  the  Executive 
Mansion. 

The  author  who  has  with  marvelous  industry  and  good  taste,  written 
these  condensed  biographies  of  our  country's  most  eminent  women,  deserves 
the  thanks  of  all;  yet  such  short  sketches  as  are  embodied  in  this  volume, 
can  give  but  little  knowledge  of  facts  concerning  lives  with  so  much  interest 
attaching  to  them  that  a  history  of  each  would  offer  absorbing  entertain- 
ment to  the  lover  of  biography,  but  they  can  serve  to  enlighten  every 
intelligent  reader  sufficiently  to  arouse  a  desire  for  more  information  relating 
to  these  women,  famous  in  the  story  of  their  country's  social  and  political 
events,  and  to  awaken  a  feeling  of  pride  that  these  queens  of  a  republican 
court  have  no  peers  in  any  foreign  realm. 


MARTHA  DA 

married  at  nineteen 
Custis.    At  an  early  z. 
two  children,  M 
1759  she  married  G 
coming, the  wife  of  the  til- 
States.   Accomplis! 
of  ceremony,  yet    he 

at    Mt.   Ve' 

MARTHA     WASHINGTON 

death,  hence  she  :  " 

being- 'the  Capital  of  the  ( 
ton's  administration    ; 
city,  refined  taste  and  ab 
of  appropriate  display 
to  that  of  her  husband  ;; 
trying  scenes  and  pri 
She  died  in  her  seven!1 
failed  in  health  siru 
three  years  previo 


KYYY  v 


MARTHA  DANDRIDGE,  of  Virginia,  was 
married  at  nineteen  years  of  age  to  Daniel  Parke 
Custis.  At  an  early  age  she  was  left  a  widow  with 
two  children,  Martha  and  John  Parke  Custis.  In 
1759  she  married  George  Washington,  thus  be- 
coming the  wife  of  the  first  President  of  the  United 
States.  Accomplished,  wealthy  and  fascinating,  fond 
of  ceremony,  yet  hospitable,  her  entertainments 
at  Mt.  Vernon  were  world-famous.  The  White 
House  was  not  erected  until  after  Washington's 
death,  hence  she  never  presided  there.  New  York 
being  the  Capital  of  the  Country  during  Washing- 
ton's administration  her  court  was  held  in  that 
city,  refined  taste  and  abundant  wealth  admitting 
of  appropriate  display.  Her  patriotism  was  equal 
to  that  of  her  husband  and  led  her  through  many 
trying  scenes  and  privations  during  the  Revolution. 
She  died  in  her  seventy— first  year,  having  gradually 
failed  in  health  since  her  husband's  death,  nearly 
three  years  previous. 


ABIGAli 
betame  the  w if < 
health  during  i 
tion,  but  her  si 
Her  letters  to  ' 
mental  pov% 
them   have   bf 
literary  and  hi 
term    the 

ABIGAIL    ADAMS 
pleted,  and  th 

the  ceremor 
there  during  ta- 
in  private    lit 
companion,  u 
years  prior 
ing    the    recor 
mother,  as 
Quincy  Ad 
and  in  this  : 


ABIGAIL  SMITH,  of  Weymouth,  Mass., 
became  the  wife  of  John  Adams  at  twenty.  Ill 
health  during  her  early  years  retarded  her  educa- 
tion, but  her  strong  mind  overcame  this  difficulty. 
Her  letters  to  her  husband  and  her  son  prove  her 
mental  powers  and  strong  character,  and  many  of 
them  have  been  published  on  account  of  their 
literary  and  historical  value.  During  her  husband's 
term  the  Capital  was  removed  to  Washington, 
and,  though  the  White  House  was  not  yet  com- 
pleted, and  the  city  was  only  a  straggling  town, 
the  ceremony  of  Washington's  time  was  resumed 
there  during  her  short  reign  of  only  half  a  year. 
In  private  life  she  was  her  husband's  constant 
companion,  until,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four,  eight 
years  prior  to  her  husband's  death,  she  died,  leav- 
ing the  record  of  a  unique  life.  She  was  the 
mother,  as  well  as  the  wife,  of  a  President,  John 
Quincy  Adams  being  the  eldest  of  her  three  sons, 
and  in  this  respect  she  stands  alone. 


-33- 


M  PH 

the  elc 
at  the  v 
fathc 
teen 
how 
a  mistr 
acted  in 

inenth 

CMARTHA    JEFFERSON    RANDOLPH 

advant; 

contin 

most  bri 

domesti 

gav( 

retirem< 

Monticello 

husbaiv 

sold 

wer- 


—  -27  — 


YW 


MARTHA     JEFFERSON   RANDOLPH, 

the  elder  of  the  President's  two  daughters,  presided 
at  the  White  House  whenever  possible  during  her 
father's  administrations,  his  wife  having  died  nine- 
teen years  before  his  election.  The  White  House, 
however,  during  his  terms,  was  practically  without 
a  mistress,  although  at  times  Mrs.  Madison  also 
acted  in  that  capacity.  Mrs.  Randolph  was  em- 
inently fitted  for  such  a  sphere,  but  was  able  to 
assume  its  duties  only  twice.  Having  received  the 
advantages  of  foreign  education  and  travel,  and  the 
continual  association  with  men  of  letters,  she  was  a 
most  brilliant  woman,  and  had  her  tastes  been  less 
domestic  she  would  have  shone  in  society.  She 
gave  her  father  unremitting  care  when,  after  his 
retirement  from  public  life,  he  settled  at  his  estate 
Monticello,  where  two  years  after  his  death  her 
husband  also  passed  away.  Monticello  was  then 
sold  and  the  remaining  eight  years  of  her  life 
were  spent  among  her  children. 


—  27  — 


a  Quaker,  first  married 
at  nineteen,  -  lawyer  of  Phila- 

delphia.    One  dearth,  when  twenty- 

two,    she    man  Vfadison.     Her     kind 

heart,  frank,,  a-  .,  and  personal  beauty 


When  she  presided  at 
ready  recognition  of 
ranee  of  events  con- 


made her   vr 

the  Whit 

every  one,   and  her 

cerning    them    in  ;s  feeling.      Although 

VOROTHY    PAINE    MADISdft1™? 
administration 

a    charmi 
charitable 
wealth  wit 
1812  shov 
it  was  she 
ington  wh 
burn  the  Whi 
from    her 
Congress 


considered 
she    was    extremely 
used    her    husband's 
igment.     The  wa 
Ability  in  many  ways,  and 
rt  portrait  of  Wash- 
about  to  pillage  and 
Government  bought 
1    of  the  Debates  in 
7,  for  $30,000. 


"<XKU     -V/.\W\  AOCP 


- 


DOROTHY  PAINE,  a  Quaker,  first  married 
at  nineteen,  John  Todd,  a  young  lawyer  of  Phila- 
delphia. One  year  after  his  death,  when  twenty- 
two,  she  married  James  Madison.  Her  kind 
heart,  frank,  cordial  manners,  and  personal  beauty 
made  her  very  popular.  When  she  presided  at 
the  White  House  her  tact,  ready  recognition  of 
every  one,  and  her  remembrance  of  events  con- 
cerning them  increased  this  feeling.  Although 
her  entertainments  lacked  the  ceremony  of  past 
administrations,  "  Dolly"  Madison  was  considered 
a  charming  hostess.  While  she  was  extremely 
charitable,  she  always  dispensed  her  husband's 
wealth  with  prudence  and  judgment.  The  war  of 
1812  showed  her  true  nobility  in  many  ways,  and 
it  was  she  who  saved  the  Stuart  portrait  of  Wash- 
ington when  the  British  were  about  to  pillage  and 
burn  the  White  House.  The  Government  bought 
from  her  Madison's  Record  of  the  Debates  in 
Congress  from  1782-1787,  for  $30,000. 


ELIZAB  RTRIGHT    was     the 

daughter  of  ,  in  the. British  Army, 
who,  after  the  remained  in  New 
York.  She  there  during  a 
session  of  (  govern- 
ment was  rem  'hiladclphia,  where  they 
resided  until  i~  ,  Moim> 

Extraordinary  'tinister    Plenipotentiary    to 

France.      I!  ;uns 

ELIZABETH    KORTRIGHT    MONROE 
saved  the  life  .             rte,  who,  i 
the  very  day  oi  ,  all  at  the  pr 
was  to  have  been  !  hut  the  powerful  sup- 
port of  the  Air  :er's   w                      her 
liberation.  Mrs  rlegant,              plished, 
dignified  and  d  nd  her  "dr,            rooms'" 
were  more  cere  han  th                    s.  Madi- 
son.   She  di  e  her  hus- 
band, who-;  te  with  his 
daughter  .V  \ewYork. 


ELIZABETH    KORTRIGHT    was     the 

daughter  of  a  retired  captain  in  the  British  Army, 
who,  after  the  peace  of  1783,  remained  in  New 
York.  She  married  Mr.  Monroe  there  during  a 
session  of  Congress,  but  later  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment was  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  they 
resided  until  1794,  when  Monroe  was  made  Envoy 
Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to 
France.  Her  husband's  several  foreign  positions 
of  trust  obliged  them  to  live  much  abroad.  She 
saved  the  life  of  Madame  de  Lafayette,  who,  upon 
the  very  day  of  Mrs.  Monroe's  call  at  the  prison, 
was  to  have  been  beheaded;  but  the  powerful  sup- 
port of  the  American  Minister's  wife  caused  her 
liberation.  Mrs.  Monroe  was  elegant,  accomplished, 
dignified  and  charming,  and  her  "drawing  rooms" 
were  more  ceremonious  than  those  of  Mrs.  Madi- 
son. She  died  suddenly,  one  year  before  her  hus- 
band, who  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  with  his 
daughter  Mrs.  Gouverneur  in  New  York. 


212853 


LOU1 

born  and  educat 
Quincy  Adams  the: 
His  father,   he 
to  Berlin,  whc. 
Jefferson's  terms 
which  Monroe 
Russia,    where    r, 
1815  he  was  madv 

Napoleon  wa* 

LOUISA     CATHERINE    ADAMS 
traveling   Irorn 

Paris,  after    sever: 
after    Napole< 
Bourbons.      Hm  > 
she  was  emin< 
House,  but  ill 
at    the  time    ^' 
they  entertai- 
ette  last  vi 
Mr.  and  A; 


LOUISA     CATHERINE     JOHNSON   was 

born  and  educated  in  London.  She  met  John 
Quincy  Adams  there,  and  they  were  married  in  1797. 
His  father,  becoming  President,  transferred  him 
to  Berlin,  where  she  accompanied  him> — During 
Jefferson's  terms  America  was  their  home,  after 
which  Monroe  appointed  Mr.  Adams  Minister  to 
Russia,  where  nearly  six  years  were  spent.  In 
1815  he  was  made  Minister  to  England.  When 
Napoleon  was  returning  from  Elba,  Mrs.  Adams, 
traveling  from  Russia  to  rejoin  her  husband  at 
Paris,  after  several  escapes  entered  the  city  just 
after  Napoleon's  arrival  and  the  flight  of  the 
Bourbons.  Having  graced  such  high  positions, 
she  was  eminently  fitted  to  preside  at  the  White 
House,  but  ill-health  incapacitated  her,  although 
at  the  time  Mr.  Adams  was  Secretary  of  State 
they  entertained  most  agreeably.  When  Lafay- 
ette last  visited  America  he  was  entertained  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  at  the  Executive  Mansion. 


RACHEL    I  ,    wife    of   Andr 

Jackson,  died  th<  mber  before  the  inaugura- 

tion.     Therefore  the   position  ol  'ing  LP. 

was  accorded  to  Emily    Done 

of  Major  Andrew   J.    i  n,  private  ser 

to  the  President  ::d  son's  wife. 

Yorke  Jackson,  presided   ;it   the   Hermitage  then, 
and    for    many    years.      Mrs.  Donelson  wa 
young  when  called  upon  to  fulfil  her  social  duti 

RACHEL  DONELSON  JACKSON 
various  accomplishments  rendered  her  capable  of 
adding  much  to  this  period's  noted  brilliancy. 
All  admired  her,  even  when  party  spirit  quenched 
unbiased  judgment.  In  all  points  of  etiquette  she 
was  arbiter,  the  President  deferring  t  to 

her  opinion.  Her  four  children  were  born  in  the 
White  House  Early  in  1836  she  returned  to 
Tennessee,  as  he  h  was  failing,  hoping  for 

renewed  strength  ;  but  consumption  developed,  and 
her  death  followed  in  December  of  the  same  year 


RACHEL  DONELSON,  wife  of  Andrew 
Jackson,  died  the  December  before  the  inaugura- 
tion. Therefore  the  position  of  Presiding  Lady 
was  accorded  to  her  neice,  Emily  Donelson,  wife 
of  Major  Andrew  J.  Donelson,  private  secretary 
to  the  President.  His  adopted  son's  wife,  Sarah 
Yorke  Jackson,  presided  at  the  Hermitage  then, 
and  for  many  years.  Mrs.  Donelson  was  very 
young  when  called  upon  to  fulfil  her  social  duties ; 
but  innate  refinement,  ease,  grace,  dignity  and 
various  accomplishments  rendered  her  capable  of 
adding  much  to  this  period's  noted  brilliancy. 
All  admired  her,  even  when  party  spirit  quenched 
unbiased  judgment.  In  all  points  of  etiquette  she 
was  arbiter,  the  President  deferring  everything  to 
her  opinion.  Her  four  children  were  born  in  the 
White  House  Early  in  1836  she  returned  to 
Tennessee,  as  her  health  was  failing,  hoping  for 
renewed  strength ;  but  consumption  developed,  and 
her  death  followed  in  December  of  the  same  year 


^*eiliIB»«^^v^  ATI  r  5 

— ^ — -- •-"•-- -^-WrUr^  *».-•  v    i  i<V  i  <b    M>  •  ft 


ANGEL1  TON  was  p: 

by  her    cousin,  ,  to   President 

Buren,  in  1837,  a  ing  year  married 

his  son,  Major  Van  New  Year's  d« 

1839,  she  assumed  h-  .  the  White 

House,  as  Hannah    1  'artin  Vran 

Buren  had   died  in   i  widower 

when  elected  President.  •     vss^ 

for  she  would  have  fillr 
occupied    in    later  y 
The  next  spWGE  L/C/1     YAN    BUREN 
went  abroad,  where  the 

attentions,    attributed    r  standing  in 

America,  and  also  to  M  1's  exceeding 

charm  of  features,  form  an  and  long  an- 

cestral descent.      They  *d  to  dine  at  the 

Palace  of  St.  Cloud,  w!  ^ere   entertained 

with  a  cordial  lack  o;  ouis  Philir 

and  his  Queen.       In  ite  she  u  ;^ 

leader  in  NewYorks  occurring 


ANGELICA  SINGLETON  was  presented 
by  her  cousin,  Mrs.  Madison,  to  President  Van 
Buren,  in  1837,  and  in  the  following  year  married 
his  son,  Major  Van  Buren.  On  New  Year's  day, 
1839,  she  assumed  her  place  as  hostess  of  the  White 
House,  as  Hannah  Hoes,  the  wife  of  Martin  Van 
Buren  had  died  in  1819,  leaving  him  a  widower 
when  elected  President.  This  was  a  great  loss, 
for  she  would  have  filled  well  the  exalted  position 
occupied  in  later  years  by  her  eldest  son's  wife. 
The  next  spring  Major  Van  Buren  and  his  wife 
went  abroad,  where  they  received  most  flattering 
attentions,  attributed  to  their  high  standing  in 
America,  and  also  to  Mrs.  Van  Buren's  exceeding 
charm  of  features,  form  and  manner,  and  long  an- 
cestral descent.  They  were  invited  to  dine  at  the 
Palace  of  St.  Cloud,  where  they  were  entertained 
with  a  cordial  lack  of  ceremony  by  Louis  Philippe 
and  his  Queen.  In  later  life  she  was  a  society 
leader  in  New  York,  her  death  occurring  in  1878. 


ANN  is  born 

N.  J.,  and  ear  i  as  left 

father,  disguise..  British   c 


carried  her  to 
where  she  ren 
York.      Trained 
echoed  her  early  t 
she  married  Capt; 
afterwards  Pre 

ANNA     SYMMES 
tality,  being  great 

in  her  home  in  th 

nes  many  happy   j 

being  much  away, 

children,  afterward 

daughters,  four  s<- 

during  thirty  year 

of  removing  to 

but  as  the    Pr 

inauguration,  ne  umv 


the  evii 
ness,    her 

When  n 

n,  later  ( 

•  •    •  v    • 

HARRISON 

and 

;• 

infant,  th 
grand- 
li  Bend.      1 


ANNA  SYMMES  was  born  near  Morristown, 
N.  J.,  and  early  in  life  was  left  motherless.  Her 
father,  disguised  as  a  British  officer,  successfully 
carried  her  to  her  grandparents  on  Long  Island, 
where  she  remained  until  the  evacuation  of  New 
York.  Trained  in  godliness,  her  whole  life 
echoed  her  early  teachings.  When  nearly  twenty 
she  married  Captain  Harrison,  later  General,  and 
afterwards  President.  While  he  was  Governor  of 
the  Indiana  Territory  she  dispensed  liberal  hospi- 
tality, being  greatly  loved  and  admired,  and  here 
in  her  home  in  the  old  French  Town  of  Vincen- 
nes  many  happy  years  were  spent.  Her  husband 
being  much  away,  she  reared  almost  alone  her  ten 
children,  afterwards  seeing  one  infant,  three  grown 
daughters,  four  sons  and  ten  grand-children  die 
during  thirty  years  at  North  Bend.  The  thought 
of  removing  to  Washington  was  distasteful  to  her, 
but  as  the  President  died  one  month  after  his 
inauguration,  this  became  unnecessary. 


LETITIA  C 

dent  Tyler's  rirsr 
lived  scarcely  tw< 
She  was  lovely   an 
and  beautiful,  great!  -. 
family,  but  seldom 
his  administratio; 
mistresses.     The 
volved    upon    his    i 
generally  assumed  1. 

tyftrft$mW%.     TYL 
or  permanent  no- 


married    Miss    Julia  •  The    • 

took    place    at  the  be  Asc 

New  York  City,  an  •  instance  t 

marriage  of  a  Presid.  fact  excited  i: 

interest  throughout  ;  iced  States.     ? 

Tyler,  for  the  rei  ^ht  months  of 

filled  her  position  y  and  gracefn 

died  in  1889,  ha1  )utlived  he 


-55— 


•  •tne-,fy 


LETITIA  CHRISTIAN,  of  Virginia,  Presi- 
dent Tyler's  first  wife,  was  extremely  delicate,  and 
lived  scarcely  two  years  after  his  inauguration. 
She  was  lovely  and  gentle,  highly  accomplished 
and  beautiful,  greatly  beloved  by  her  husband  and 
family,  but  seldom  seen  in  public,  therefore  during 
his  administration  the  White  House  had  several 
mistresses.  The  duties  of  hostess  sometimes  de- 
volved upon  his  married  daughter,  but  were 
generally  assumed  by  his  daughter-in-law,  Mrs. 
Robert  Tyler,  to  whom  were  relegated  the  duties 
of  permanent  hostess  until,  in  i  844,  the  President 
married  Miss  Julia  Gardiner.  The  ceremony 
took  place  at  the  Church  of  the  Ascension  in 
New  York  City,  and  was  the  first  instance  of  the 
marriage  of  a  President,  which  fact  excited  intense 
interest  throughout  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Julia 
Tyler,  for  the  remaining  eight  months  of  the  term, 
filled  her  position  creditably  and  gracefully.  She 
died  in  1889,  having  long  outlived  her  husband. 


—  55— 


SARAH   CHILDRKSS,  of  Ten; 
nineteen  years  old  married   fames  Knox 
member  of  the  Legislature  of  that  State.   The 
year  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  continuing  : 
teen  sessions  in  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Polk  held 
a  high  social  position  there  owing  to  her  courteous 
manners,     dignity    and  mplishments. 

When  she  returned  to  Washiu  s  the  wife  of 

the   President,   having   no   children,    she  devoted 
herself  exclusively  to  her  in  that  ->n. 

S4RAH    CHILDRESS    POLK 
refreshments  to  guests  was 
a  strict  Presbyterian,  dancing  also  was   : 
nevertheless,    she   was    ver-  .     She  wa 

handsome   woman    of  the  -,   dre,s 

with  refined  and  elegan  ui  was  note- 

conversationalist,  beside  ;g  keenly  the  obli 

tions   of  her  station.     S  vived   her   hi: 

over  forty  years,  living  at  ''Polk  Place,' 
the  home  they  had  hare  in 


—  59— 


SARAH  CHILDRESS,  of  Tennessee,  when 
nineteen  years  old  married  James  Knox  Polk,  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  of  that  State.  The  next 
year  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  continuing  four- 
teen sessions  in  Washington,  and  Mrs.  Polk  held 
a  high  social  position  there  owing  to  her  courteous 
manners,  dignity  and  many  accomplishments. 
When  she  returned  to  Washington  as  the  wife  of 
the  President,  having  no  children,  she  devoted 
herself  exclusively  to  her  duties  in  that  position. 
At  her  weekly  receptions  the  custom  of  serving 
refreshments  to  guests  was  abolished.  As  she  was 
a  strict  Presbyterian,  dancing  also  was  forbidden; 
nevertheless,  she  was  very  popular.  She  was  a 
handsome  woman  of  the  Spanish  type,  dressed 
with  refined  and  elegant  taste,  and  was  noted  as  a 
conversationalist,  beside  realizing  keenly  the  obliga- 
tions of  her  station.  She  survived  her  husband 
over  forty  years,  living  at  "Polk  Place,"  Nashville, 
the  home  they  had  hoped  to  share  in  old  age. 


—  59— 


MARGA 

Zachary   Tav  3 
planter.      Dor 
husband,  she 
making    a    h 
social  ambitio 
preside  at  th< 
home  at  Bat< 
est  daughr 
and  liked, 


an 

elected  Presiden 
hostess    to    Mrs 
twenty-tw 
and    youthful 
Mrs.   Polk 
the  White  H; 
President's  de- 
ration.     Mrs 


SMITH     TAYLOR 


-63- 


Ur  E  L  F  T  H     * 

ESIDJNG   LADT  * 


MARGARET  SMITH,  wife  of  General 
Zachary  Taylor,  was  the  daughter  of  a  Maryland 
planter.  Domestic  in  taste  and  devoted  to  her 
husband,  she  lived  much  in  garrisons  and  afield, 
making  a  home  anywhere.  She  was  without 
social  ambition,  and  therefore  had  no  desire  to 
preside  at  the  White  House,  preferring  her  quiet 
home  at  Baton  Rouge,  where  she  and  her  young- 
est daughter,  "Miss  Betty,"  were  widely  known 
and  liked,  and  where  she  permanently  established 
an  Episcopal  church.  When  her  husband  was 
elected  President,  she  relinquished  the  duties  of 
hostess  to  Mrs.  Bliss  (Miss  Betty),  then  but 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  whose  grace  of  manner 
and  youthful  charms  relieved  the  formality  of 
Mrs.  Folk's  previous  reign.  Their  residence  at 
the  White  House  was  suddenly  terminated  by  the 
President's  death,  sixteen  months  after  his  inaugu- 
ration. Mrs.  Taylor  died  two  years  later,  at  the 
home  of  her  only  son  in  Louisiana. 


ABIGAIL   i  m   S; 

County,  New  York,  i  pwcity, 

prder   to   help   her  *l*c   ?  <ught 

from   very   early  youth. 

herself.    Fine  health,  height  ite 

features,  kindly  eyes  and   an   c  h<r 

made   her    attractive,    if  nv 
At   twenty-eight   she   man  ore. 

ABltiftfLWflLLMORE 
were  devoted  to  his  int. 

President  ,she  graced  her  posit!  »  ea>e;  if 
possible,  never  neglecting  any  fun* 
to  feeble  health  late  in  life  she  of;  ac-e  to 
her  daughter,  Mary  Abigail,  v.  ough  young, 
was  a  charming  and  dignified '  hostesb.  Mrs.  Fill- 
more  established  the  White  no 
books  having  been  there  on  hc^  Three 
weeks  after  her  husband's  passed 
away  quite  suddenly,  leavir  de- 
voted wife  and  mother. 


ABIGAIL  POWERS  was  born  in  Saratoga 
County,  New  York,  and  reared  in  poverty.  In 
order  to  help  her  widowed  mother  she  taught 
from  very  early  youth,  although  still  a  student 
herself.  Fine  health,  height,  fair  coloring,  delicate 
features,  kindly  eyes  and  an  expression  of  humor, 
made  her  attractive,  if  not  classically  beautiful. 
At  twenty-eight  she  married  Millard  Fillmore. 
In  his  early  professional  struggles  her  varied  talents 
were  devoted  to  his  interests.  When  he  became 
President  she  graced  her  position  with  ease;  if 
possible,  never  neglecting  any  functions,  but  owing 
to  feeble  health  late  in  life  she  often  gave  place  to 
her  daughter,  Mary  Abigail,  who,  though  young, 
was  a  charming  and  dignified  hostess.  Mrs.  Fill- 
more  established  the  White  House  Library,  no 
books  having  been  there  on  her  advent.  Three 
weeks  after  her  husband's  term  expired  she  passed 
away  quite  suddenly,  leaving  the  memory  of  a  de- 
voted wife  and  mother. 


JANE 

the  President  of  Bern 

of  Franklin  Pierce,   v. ... 

and  nervous  organ izati 

She  was  rendered  more 

of  her  h  u, 

only  re 

way  act 

to  her  pers 

tality  from   t; 

function/^    ""LETON    PIERCE 

her    popular 
ence    would   : 
Unselfr 
ed  her;  as 
materially 
the  White    Ki 
In   185 
went  al 
restored,  a 


AttK\. 


JANE  MEANS  APPLETON,  daughter  of 
the  President  of  Bowdoin  College,  and  later  wife 
of  Franklin  Pierce,  was  delicate  in  her  physical 
and  nervous  organizations  from  early  childhood. 
She  was  rendered  more  so,  however,  at  the  time 
of  her  husband's  inauguration,  by  the  death  of  their 
only  remaining  child,  a  son  of  fourteen,  in  a  rail- 
way accident.  Nevertheless  she  did  not  give  way 
to  her  personal  grief,  but  dispensed  cordial  hospi- 
tality from  the  White  House,  presiding  at  every 
function  requiring  her  presence,  and  thus  sustained 
her  popular  husband,  although  her  own  prefer- 
ence would  have  been  for  a  more  retired  life. 
Unselfishness  and  great  mental  ability  distinguish- 
ed her;  as  she  was  a  deeply  religious  woman,  she 
materially  influenced  the  Sabbath  observances  of 
the  White  House  circle  while  presiding  there. 
In  1857,  after  her  husband's  term  expired,  they 
went  abroad  for  two  years,  but  her  health  was  not 
restored,  and  she  died  six  years  before  her  husband. 


HARRIET  LANE  was   left   an   on 
nine  .years    of  age,  and    wa*  it    up    by  her 

uncle,  James  Bu  ith 

her   educat;  r  to 

England  i 
a  marked 
She  was 
graceful,  <. 
uncle's    return     • 

HARR,ET    LANE 
and  was  r- 

diplomacy. 

now  King  E» 

and  in  re^  ,is  was  an  '.  invited 

guest  at  his  Coronation   C  jr.     Shortly  at 

her  return  to  America  she  developed  symptom 

a  serious  illness,  to  which  she  succumbed  i; 

1 903.       /  er   uncle   ; 

sorrows  were   tl  hs  of  her  hu 

Elliot  John  her  two  v 


- 


HARRIET  LANE  was  left  an  orphan  at 
nine  years  of  age,  and  was  brought  up  by  her 
uncle,  James  Buchanan,  who  took  great  pains  with 
her  education.  When  he  became  Minister  to 
England  in  1852,  she  accompanied  him  and  was 
a  marked  favorite  in  court  and  diplomatic  circles. 
She  was  a  handsome  blonde  of  twenty,  dignified, 
graceful,  clever  and  an  engaging  talker.  On  her 
uncle's  return  to  America,  and  his  subsequent 
election  she  became  mistress  of  the  White  House 
and  was  renowned  for  her  charm,  good  taste  and 
diplomacy.  She  entertained  the  Prince  of  Wales, 
now  King  Edward  VII,  while  in  America  in  1860, 
and  in  recognition  of  this  was  an  especially  invited 
guest  at  his  Coronation  Ceremony.  Shortly  after 
her  return  to  America  she  developed  symptoms  of 
a  serious  illness,  to  which  she  succumbed  in  July, 
1903.  After  her  uncle  passed  away,  her  great 
sorrows  were  the  deaths  of  her  husband,  Henry 
Elliot  Johnston,  and  her  two  young  sons. 


MARY  TODD,  bor 
from  girlhood  a  supreme  dt 
of  the  White   House,    which, 
seem  probable  when  she  mar 
in  1842,  but  later  her  ambition 
was   small,    attractive  in  appea 
stoutness,    self  possessed    in    mannr 
have  enjoyed  her  high  position  had 
lous  events    of    the    Rebellion   pre\ 
tivities    and  converted    the  White 
public  instfMdSA'.    TOJPdAflffm 
preyed  sorely  upon  her,  hut  when 
husband  was  assassinated,  the  shock 
and  that,  added  to  the  blow  of  her  \ 
death  soon  after  his  father's,   partly 
reason.      Although  she  traveled  mm 
never  recovered,  mentally  or  physic;; 
of  paralysis  in   her  sister's    home   a 
111.,    in     1882,    and  was  intern 
Monument  vault  with  her 


MARY  TODD,  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  had 
from  girlhood  a  supreme  desire  to  become  mistress 
of  the  White  House,  which,  however,  did  not 
seem  probable  when  she  married  Abraham  Lincoln 
in  1842,  but  later  her  ambition  was  realized.  She 
was  small,  attractive  in  appearance,  inclined  to 
stoutness,  self  possessed  in  manner,  and  would 
have  enjoyed  her  high  position  had  not  the  troub- 
lous events  of  the  Rebellion  prevented  all  fes- 
tivities and  converted  the  White  House  into  a 
public  institution.  The  death  of  her  second  son 
preyed  sorely  upon  her,  but  when  in  1865  her 
husband  was  assassinated,  the  shock  was  too  great, 
and  that,  added  to  the  blow  of  her  youngest  boy's 
death  soon  after  his  father's,  partly  unsettled  her 
reason.  Although  she  traveled  much  abroad,  she 
never  recovered,  mentally  or  physically.  She  died 
of  paralysis  in  her  sister's  home  at  Springfield, 
111.,  in  1882,  and  was  interred  in  the  Lincoln 
Monument  vault  with  her  husband  and  children. 


ELIZA  McCARDU 

in  i  826  Andrew  Johnson,  a 
old,  whose  early  educatioi 
perse veringly  until  hi 

Her  character  wa>  unostentai 

the  duties  of  wife  and  mot!-  ihvays  con- 

scientiously   fulfilled.      Her  ,der- 

mined  by  suffering  during  t. 
a  confirmed  invalid  when  called  to  th 

ELIZA    MCCARDLE   JOHNSON 
ter,    became   hostess.      She   presided   with    si 
elegance,  ease,  grace  .and  remarkable  tact  d 
her  father's  stormy  adm  Their  hqmje 

life  was  delightful,  «i  ft  Washing- 

ton the  whole  family  rted  socially 

and  by  all  retainers,  as  their  po;  was  wide- 

spread.     Mrs.  Johnson's  influence  -A-cr  her    hus- 
band was  always  very  marked,  and  throughout  his 
life  she  was  his  greatest  helper  and  adviser, 
survived  him  only  six  months. 


ELTZA  McCARDLE,  of  Tennessee,  married 
in  1826  Andrew  Johnson,  a  tailor,  eighteen  years 
old,  whose  early  education  she  superintended 
perseveringly  until  his  learning  exceeded  her  own. 
Her  character  was  simple,  true  and  unostentatious, 
the  duties  of  wife  and  mother  being  always  con- 
scientiously fulfilled.  Her  health  being  under- 
mined by  suffering  during  the  Rebellion,  she  was 
a  confirmed  invalid  when  called  to  the  White 
House,  therefore  Mrs.  Patterson,  her  eldest  daugh- 
ter, became  hostess.  She  presided  with  simple 
elegance,  ease,  grace  and  remarkable  tact  during 
her  father's  stormy  administration.  Their  home 
life  was  delightful,  and  when  they  left  Washing- 
ton the  whole  family  was  much  regretted  socially 
and  by  all  retainers,  as  their  popularity  was  wide- 
spread. Mrs.  Johnson's  influence  over  her  hus- 
band was  always  very  marked,  and  throughout  his 
life  she  was  his  greatest  helper  and  adviser.  She 
survived  him  only  six  months. 


JULIA    I  became 

Lieut.  Grant.  v  war  sc 

but  the  Year 

poverty    to; 
survived, -a? 

him   far;-  ae  shared    his  trmmr 

the    Pi\-  's    wife,  she    was    most    hi 

entertair,  in   private  as  we 

public 

daily,  very  i\JULM    DENT    GRANT 
eral  and   Mrs. 

and   met    witl-  A  _sp 

feature  «  irant 

by   the    wife  of  (.  s   the 

first  of  its  kind.     During  silness 

she   was   hi  s    an 

adored   mother.      Her  remai  '  her 

husband,  share   the  famous   mat  tilt  as  a 

memorial  to  him,  on  Riverside  Dr 
City,  the  site  of  which  she  her 


JULIA  DENT,  in  1 844,  became  engaged  to 
Lieut.  Grant.  The  Mexican  war  separated  them, 
but  they  married  in  1848.  Years  of  failure  and 
poverty  followed,  but  her  faith  in  his  ability 
survived,  and  when  his  military  prowess  made 
him  famous,  she  shared  his  triumphs.  Later,  as 
the  President's  wife,  she  was  most  hospitable, 
entertaining  extensively  in  private  as  well  as  in 
public  life,  making  Grant's  administrations,  so- 
cially, very  notable.  When  his  term  expired,  Gen- 
eral and  Mrs.  Grant  journeyed  around  the  world 
and  met  with  a  continuous  ovation.  A  special 
feature  of  it  was  the  dinner  given  to  Mrs.  Grant 
by  the  wife  of  China's  Viceroy,  which  was  the 
first  of  its  kind.  During  her  husband's  last  illness 
she  was  his  constant  nurse,  and  was  always  an 
adored  mother.  Her  remains,  with  those  of  her 
husband,  share  the  famous  mausoleum,  built  as  a 
memorial  to  him,  on  Riverside  Drive,  New  York 
City,  the  site  of  which  she  herself  chose. 


Li 

and  r 
ing  i 
caret 
herself 
Frank, 
expn 
Execut; 
sunny   v 

pop    LUCY     WARE     WEBB     HAYES 
among    h- 
White     ; 

from  tlic  \ 

ing  of  I. 
collec; 
ing  the  ; 

ministry  ^  XVAS 

the  o^  < 

not  Ion  a  ho 

home  iii 


KH     atTdNM    dftKHl 


LUCY  WARE  WEBB  was  born  in  Ohio, 
and  married  Mr.  Hayes  in  1852,  the  union  result- 
ing most  happily.  During  her  husband's  military 
career  she  often  visited  him  in  the  field  and  endeared 
herself  to  the  soldiers  by  her  gracious  sympathy. 
Frank,  cordial,  hospitible  and  beautiful,  she  freely 
expressed  her  pleasure  at  becoming  mistress  of  the 
Executive  Mansion,  winning  many  friends  by  her 
sunny  smile  and  sincere  greeting.  She  was  very 
popular,  although  she  displeased  a  certain  few 
among  her  guests  by  banishing  wine  from  the 
White  House  table,  thereby  gaining  strong  support 
from  the  temperance  advocates.  A  fine  oil  paint- 
ing of  her  was  added  by  these  adherents  to  the 
collection  at  the  Mansion,  Frances  Willard  mak- 
ing the  presentation.  During  her  husband's  ad- 
ministration their  silver  wedding  was  celebrated, 
the  occasion  arousing  national  interest.  She  did 
not  long  survive  her  husband,  who  died  at  their 
home  in  Fremont,  Ohio,  in  1893. 


•IA 
Oli 

• 

Wl: 

wife's 

aiding 

office.  lie   ten 

sinr  illness  an^ 

was 

LUCRETIA    RUDOLPH    GARFIELD 
tactful 

hospit  her  th 

.sympathy  in  •  .       Pre 

the  first   ' 
Execir 

sons  tl'  ored.    A  . 

and  fa  'd  dollars  \\ 

the  family  before  th<. 

and  the  knowledge  of  this 
him   i;  :noments. 


LUCRETIA  RUDOLPH,  born  in  Hiram, 
Ohio,  married  James  Abram  Garfield  in  1868, 
soon  after  he  became  President  of  Hiram  College, 
where  both  studied.  The  marriage  was  ideal,  his 
wife's  intelligent  sympathy  and  co-operative  ability 
aiding  greatly  in  his  advancement  to  his  high 
office.  Through  the  terrible  ordeal  of  his  assas- 
sination, painful  illness  and  death,  Mrs.  Garfield 
was  vastly  sustained  by  her  power  of  self-control. 
Her  short  stay  at  the  White  House  proved  her 
tactful  and  cordial  in  dispensing  public  and  private 
hospitality,  gaining  for  her  the  nation's  love  and 
sympathy  in  her  sorrow.  President  Garfield's  was 
the  first  mother  of  a  President  to  reside  at  the 
Executive  Mansion,  although  others  had  seen  their 
sons  thus  honored.  A  fund  of  over  three  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  partially  raised  for 
the  Garfield  family  before  the  President's  death, 
and  the  knowledge  of  this  was  a  great  comfort  to 
him  in  his  dying  moments. 


fl 


the    V 
the  (i 


from 

ience. 

therefc 


vhen    her    brotru 
ded  to  the  Executive  office  t 

irfield.      !• 
^isHerndon,  daught^ 

is  Herndon,  who,  by  ord. 
he  Amazon  R 

.  less  than  one 

ident. 
MARY    ARTHUR    #££*#Sff such  a  posi 

and  previous   social  ex 
ace  at   the  White    Ho; 
;raceful  and  dignifiec 
of  entertainment  was 

*    the   ] 
ind  iin 

^.e"  death  of  Mr. 
.  lerndoi 

residing  chieti 


MARY  ARTHUR  McELROY  presided  at 
the  White  House  when  her  brother,  Chester 
Alan  Arthur  succeeded  to  the  Executive  office  upon 
the  death  of  President  Garfield.  In  1859  he  had 
married  Ellen  Lewis  Herndon,  daughter  of  Com- 
mander William  Lewis  Herndon,  who,  by  order  of 
the  Government,  explored  the  Amazon  River  in 
1857,  but  she  died  in  January,  1880,  less  than  one 
year  previous  to  his  election  as  Vice-President.  Mrs. 
McElroy  was  specially  adapted  to  fill  such  a  position 
from  her  natural  tact  and  previous  social  exper- 
ience. Her  residence  at  the  White  House  was 
therefore  marked  by  graceful  and  dignified  hospit- 
ality and  the  task  of  entertainment  was  greatly 
lightened  by  the  extreme  geniality  of  the  Pres- 
ident. Like  her  brother,  she  was  of  fine  and  impos- 
ing appearance.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Arthur 
his  only  daughter  Ellen  Herndon  Arthur,  lived  in 
Albany  with  her  aunt,  Mrs.  McElroy,  the  son, 
Chester  A.  Arthur  Jr.,  residing  chiefly  abroad. 


—99— 


FRAN 

Cleveland   ami 

became   his   v 

President's  wife  t. 

and    to   give   birth    t 

daughter  being    1>: 

term.      As    Presi. 

when  elected  his  si 

presided    at    the 

literary  woman  sin 

all     soc£&<M€te    FOLSOM    CLEVELAND 

Cleveland  were  the  your 

The   latter   quickly   won 

grace  and  charming  i 

in  1 893,  she  i 

his  retirement  iron 

home  has  been  at   ; 

Mrs.   Cleveland  and 

the  popularity  of  earl: 

the  Executive  Mansi«-- 


103— 


FRANCES  FOLSOM,  ward  of  Grover 
Cleveland  and  daughter  of  his  late  law  partner 
became  his  wife  in  1886.  She  was  the  first 
President's  wife  to  be  married  in  the  White  House 
and  to  give  birth  to  a  child  there,  the  second 
daughter  being  born  during  her  father's  second 
term.  As  President  Cleveland  was  a  bachelor 
when  elected  his  sister,  Rose  Elizabeth  Cleveland, 
presided  at  the  White  House.  Beside  being  a 
literary  woman  she  earnestly  and  creditably  fulfilled 
all  social  demands.  Mrs.  Madison  and  Mrs. 
Cleveland  were  the  youngest  wives  of  Presidents. 
The  latter  quickly  won  all  hearts  by  her  ease, 
grace  and  charming  manners,  and  upon  her  return 
in  1893,  s^e  received  a  hearty  welcome.  Since 
his  retirement  from  office  Ex-President  Cleveland's 
home  has  been  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  where 
Mrs.  Cleveland  and  her  young  daughters  sustain 
the  popularity  of  earlier  years  gained  by  them  in 
the  Executive  Mansion  at  Washington. 


—  103— 


CAROL! 

Prof.    Scott.   Pi 

born    in    Oxford,  Ohio.      She 

Harrison  in  i  8  q  3,  before  he 

Nearly  forty  years  passed  in  < 

ship,  before  death   depriv 

devoted    wife.     She 

painting  and  had 

also  an   earnest  church   wor 

dttRVWm^  faoW 
dignified,  womanly  and 'hospital 
during   her  husband's  term 
over  its  closing  months. 

Russell    and    Mary.       The    '  .   McK 

made  her  home  at  the  Exec  :i,  assist- 

ing .  hep    mother    most    gr;K  er    many 

and  varied  social   duties, 
death,  she  assumed    entire    • 
the  White   House,  until 
administration  in 


— 107 — 


V, 


CAROLINE  LAVINIA  SCOTT,  daughter  of 
Prof.  Scott.  President  of  Oxford  Seminary,  was 
born  in  Oxford,  Ohio.  She  married  Benjamin 
Harrison  in  1853,  Defbre  he  attained  his  majority. 
Nearly  forty  years  passed  in  congenial  companion- 
ship, before  death  deprived  him  of  a  faithful  and 
devoted  wife.  She  was  talented  in  music  and 
painting  and  had  decided  literary  taste.  She  was 
also  an  earnest  church  worker  and  truly  charit- 
able. Her  social  bearing  in  her  high  station  was 
dignified,  womanly  and  hospitable,  and  her  death 
during  her  husband's  term  cast  a  heavy  shadow 
over  its  closing  months.  They  had  two  children, 
Russell  and  Mary.  The  latter,  Mrs.  McKee, 
made  her  home  at  the  Executive  Mansion,  assist- 
ing her  mother  most  graciously  in  her  many 
and  varied  social  duties.  After  Mrs.  Harrison's 
death,  she  assumed  entire  charge  as  mistress  of 
the  White  House,  until  the  close  of  her  father's 
administration  in  1893. 


— 107 — 


IDA  SAXT< 

banker  of  Canton,  Ol 

in  January,  i  871.      Shu 

inspiring  companion  in  v 

husband    placed   entire 

attractions 

caused  by  the  deaths,  in  in. 

ren    born    to  them,    added 

IDA     SAXTON    IMC  KIN  LEY 
when  appear:  public   r 

her    guests  se. 
President's  ir, 
situation  resultii; 
pressed  the  festiv> 
arily.      Mrs.    M. 
in  the  assassin. 
tember,  1901,  h 
rallied,     although    si 
and  a  devotion  to  her  } 
as  that  bestowed  upo* 


IDA  SAXTON,  daughter  of  a  prominent 
banker  of  Canton,  Ohio,  married  Wm.  McKinley 
in  January,  1871.  She  was  a  devoted  wife  and 
inspiring  companion  in  whose  sound  judgment  her 
husband  placed  entire  faith,  while  her  personal 
attractions  were  also  great.  An  enduring  sorrow, 
caused  by  the  deaths,  in  infancy,  of  the  two  child- 
ren born  to  them,  added  to  a  chronic  physical 
ailment,  rendered  her  an  invalid.  Therefore, 
when  appearing  at  public  functions  she  received 
her  guests  seated.  However,  the  death  of  the 
President's  mother  early  in  his  term,  and  the  grave 
situation  resulting  from  the  war  with  Spain,  sup- 
pressed the  festivities  at  the  White  House  tempor- 
arily. Mrs.  McKinley  sustained  a  terrible  shock 
in  the  assassination  of  her  husband,  early  in  Sep- 
tember, 1901,  from  which  she  has  never  entirely 
rallied,  although  she  shows  great  resignation, 
and  a  devotion  to  her  husband's  memory  as  great 
as  that  bestowed  upon  him  in  life. 


EJDITH    KERMIT    CAROW    ROOSEl/ELT 


~ted 
so    heroic.: 
o*»rilotis  a  i 


EDITH  KERMIT  CAROW,  the  playmate  of 
her  husband  in  childhood  and  "  perfect  comrade" 
since  their  marriage  in  1886,  has  transformed  the 
White  House  into  an  ideal  American  home.  She 
is  a  model  housekeeper,  and  in  spite  of  the  ex- 
actions of  time  and  duties,  tunes  her  household  in 
perfect  accord  amid  the  unusual  stir  of  young  life 
there.  She  is  splendidly  equipped  for  her  arduous 
task  by  her  delightful  charm  of  manner,  tact,  and 
an  unusual  ability  to  connect  names,  faces  and  in- 
cidents. She  is  endowed  with  rare  good  sense,  to 
which,  combined  with  many  winning  attributes 
and  accomplishments,  she  owes  her  remarkable 
social  success.  She  has  a  charming  ally  in  her 
step-daughter,  Miss  Alice  Lee  Roosevelt,  a  typical 
"out-of-doors"  American  girl,  who  shares  with 
Mrs.  Roosevelt's  five  children  a  mother's  full- 
hearted  devotion,  which  was  so  severely  tested  and 
so  heroically  demonstrated  during  their  father's 
perilous  absence  in  Cuba. 


—  tig  — 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE 


TH  rsK 


THK  cnt's 

Pa 
by    '• 
the  dr. 
that  year. 

The    plans 

James  Hoban,  ;.  % 

fied  for  many 

EAST    ROOM 

style  since  <. 

after  the   home 

Accor 

North   and    South 
1803,  were 
and  in  JefK 
ing  '150  fee- 
in  glass  and  -oti 

to  the  heart  removed 

about  the  time  of  the   Civil    \\  'ored 

and  beautified  during  the  general 

The    White    House,  when    F 
of  it   in    1800,   was    neither    finish 
were    rough    and    unatr 
claim    the    adjacent    coi 
From  time  to  time  Congn 
of    the     Executive     Mansion, 
wisely  by   the  several    administ 


THE   WHITE    HOUSE 


THE  SITE  for  the  erection  of  the  White  House,  or  the  "President's 
Palace  "  as  it  was  termed  on  some  of  the  earlier  maps,  was  selected 
by  President  Washington  and  General  L' Enfant  when  they  laid  out 
the  city  of  Washington  in  1792.  The  corner  stone  was  placed  in 
that  year. 

The  plans  were  procured  by  competition,  which  gave  the  award  to 
James  Hoban,  a  distinguished  young  architect  from  Dublin,  afterward  identi- 
fied for  many  years  with  the  architectural  work  of  the  capital  city.  By  the 
architects  of  to-day  his  design  is  considered  to  surpass  anything  of  a  similar 
style  since  constructed  in  this  country.  The  White  House  was  so  called 
after  the  home  of  Martha  Washington  in  Virginia. 

According  to  the  original  plan,  the  building  was  160  feet  long.  The 
North  and  South  porches,  constructed  from  designs  made  by  Latrobe  in 
1803,  were  added  twenty-five  years  after  the  first  occupancy  of  the  house; 
and  in  Jefferson's  time  and  under  his  direction,  terraces  were  built  extend- 
ing ^150  feet  east  and  west  of  the  mansion.  The  West  Terrace,  enclosed 
in  glass  and  otherwise  disguised,  became  in  time  the  Conservatory  so  dear 
to  the  heart  of  the  Washington  sight-seer.  The  East  Terrace  was  removed 
about  the  time  of  the  Civil  War,  but,  happily,  both  of  these  were  restored 
and  beautified  during  the  general  making-over  of  the  house  in  1902. 

The  White  House,  when  President  Adams  came  to  take  possession 
of  it  in  1800,  was  neither  finished  nor  furnished,  and  its  surroundings 
were  rough  and  unattractive,  little  or  no  effort  having  been  made  to  re- 
claim the  adjacent  country  from  its  state  of  mud  and  ragged  woodland. 
From  time  to  time  Congress  made  small  appropriations  for  the  adornment 
of  the  Executive  Mansion,  and  this  money  was  spent  more  or  less 
wisely  by  the  several  administrations  in  their  efforts  to  make  the  official 


THE     WHITE     HOUSE 

residence  comfortable.  An  appropriation  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  made 
to  President  Madison  after  the  fire  of  1814  for  the  purpose  of  refurnish- 
ing; but  despite  the  expenditure  of  more  than  two  million  dollars  upon 
the  furnishing  and  decorating  of  the  building  during  the  first  three-quarters 
of  a  century  of  its  existence,  it  contained  but  few  articles  of  value  at  the 
time  of  the  remodelling  under  President  Roosevelt. 

It  was  originally  intended  that  the  public  ofHces  should  be  separate 
from  the  President's  home,  and  previous  to  1814  the  Executive  Depart- 
ments occupied  small  detached  buildings  in  the  White  House  grounds. 
But  of  necessity  the  President's  privacy  was  invaded  by  the  business  of  his 
office,  until  finally,  during  the  war,  President  Lincoln  set  aside  the  second 
story  of  the  East  Wing  for  official  business  purposes.  This  invasion 
limited  the  accommodations  for  comfortable  living  and  introduced  a  degree 
of  publicity  into  the  family  life  of  the  Chief  Executive  that  was  far  from 
agreeable.  But  these  and  many  other  discomforts  were  at  last  removed  by 
the  construction  of  the  new  office  building  and  by  the  remodelling  of  the 
entire  old  building.  There  is  now  little  business  of  an  official  nature  con- 
ducted in  the  house  proper,  and  the  East  Wing  has  been  reclaimed  for 
domestic  purposes.  With  the  exception  of  the  outside  walls,  scarcely  any 
part  of  the  building  has  been  left  unchanged.  The  old  flooring,  long  in 
a  dangerous  condition,  has  been  replaced  by  new,  supported  upon  steel 
beams.  The  latest  improvements  in  heating,  lighting,  and  plumbing  have 
supplanted  the  old-fashioned  arrangements  tolerated  by  many  administra- 
tions. In  this  process,  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  many  nooks  and  crannies 
of  historic  interest  have  been  obliterated,  but  it  is  comforting  to  know 
that  the  alterations  will  preserve  in  good  condition  and  for  a  much  longer 
period  the  main  structure  and  the  chief  beauties  of  the  old  house. 

The  East  Room. —  It  is  difficult  to  realize  in  viewing  this  magnificent 
apartment  that  it  was  at  one  time  used  by  Mrs.  John  Adams  as  a  drying- 
room  for  the  family  linen.  The  East  Room  was  not  finished  until  1836,  and 
a  bare,  bleak  place  it  must  have  been  in  those  early  days.  In  former  times 
state  banquets  were  held  here,  but,  in  more  recent  years,  it  has  been  chiefly 
used  for  public  receptions.  During  the  administration  of  President  Arthur 
this  room  was  redecorated  and  refurnished,  and  afterward  no  changes  of 


122 


'•  K     W  H  I  'I'  F.     H  ( 

importance  were    made    until     1902,  when,  with   •  of  the  huiidin 

underwent    almost    con  transformation.       The    walls    pi. 

period  were  hung  with  historical  portraits,  among  them  the 

trait  of  Washing:  from  the  fire  of  i  S  1 4  h\ 

were  removed,  a  .   the  pillars 

place  to  the  present  beautiful   scht 

are  now  ot  Hie  spac 

panels,  each    ill 

elaborate,   but  of  dr  s  three   pa' 

splendid    cut-gin-  aken    the  p 

larger,  b<.  •  ones.      Four  beautiful  mantels  of 

features  of  i  -Celling.     The  draperk 

The  Blue   Roon  this    famous 

receives  his  gues 
somest  in  the  house 

TiLUE     ROOM 
with  a  heavy    steel-blue 

wainscot.      In  the  p; 

•  nd  the  window  hangin 
the.  three  win  de- 
is  the  fine  marble  mantel  with 

tipped  with  gold  bronze.     V-  .ntial 

partx  in   front  of  tl  lie  north 

end  of  •  tor    the 

proc 

ence  of   the    h> 

of    the    many   t;  Kc  entire 

premises.     Durii  was 

.uned   as  a  sort  of  1- 
this  purpose. 

The  Red  Room.  —  In  ea 

and  the  Room.      It  ;u; 

changes  has  l>een  turned  into  .. 


THE     WHITE     HOUSE 

importance  were  made  until  1902,  when,  with  the  rest  of  the  building,  it 
underwent  almost  complete  transformation.  The  walls  previous  to  this 
period  were  hung  with  historical  portraits,  among  them  the  Gilbert  Stuart  por- 
trait of  Washington,  saved  from  the  fire  of  1814  by  Mrs.  Madison;  but  these 
were  removed,  as  were  also  the  pillars  and  beams  of  the  old  room,  to  give 
place  to  the  present  beautiful  scheme  of  decoration.  The  walls  and  ceilings 
are  now  of  white ;  the  spaces  over  the  doors  and  windows  contain  low-relief 
panels,  each  illustrating  one  of  the  fables  of  JEsop.  The  ceiling  is  most 
elaborate,  but  of  delicate  design ;  from  each  of  its  three  panels  depend  the 
splendid  cut-glass  chandeliers,  which  have  taken  the  place  of  the  former 
larger,  but  less  artistic  ones.  Four  beautiful  mantels  of  colored  marbles  are 
features  of  the  recent  remodelling.  The  draperies  are  of  rich  yellow  silk. 

The  Blue  Room. —  It  is  in  this  famous  apartment  that  the  President 
receives  his  guests  upon  state  occasions.  The  room  is  considered  the  hand- 
somest in  the  house  in  point  of  decoration,  and  also  in  its  beautiful  propor- 
tions. The  floor  is  a  fine,  highly  polished  parquetry,  and  the  walls  are  covered 
with  a  heavy  steel-blue  silk  with  yellow  embroideries  at  the  ceiling  and 
wainscot.  In  the  pattern  of  this  embroidery  and  in  the  decoration  of  the  ceil- 
ing and  the  window  hangings  the  star  is  used  with  graceful  effect.  Each  of 
the  three  windows  is  surmounted  by  a  golden  eagle.  A  feature  of  the  room 
is  the  fine  marble  mantel  with  its  supports  representing  sheaves  of  arrows 
tipped  with  gold  bronze.  When  receiving  in  the  Blue  Room,  the  presidential 
party  stands  in  front  of  the  windows,  but  formerly  they  occupied  the  north 
end  of  the  room.  A  heavy  rope  of  silk  encloses  a  passageway  for  the 
procession  of  guests,  who  must  pass  from  the  Red  Room  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  host  and  thence  into  the  Green  Room.  This  change  is  one 
of  the  many  that  were  brought  about  by  the  rearrangement  of  the  entire 
premises.  During  the  administration  of  John  Adams,  the  Blue  Room  was 
used  as  a  sort  of  vestibule,  its  convenient  location  making  it  available  for 
this  purpose. 

The  Red  Room. —  In  early  times  this  was  the  anteroom  to  the  Library 
and  the  Cabinet  Room.  It  adjoins  the  State  Dining  Room,  and  by  recent 
changes  has  been  turned  into  a  smoking  room,  except  when  it  is  required  for 

125 


THE    WHITE     HOUSE 

service  on  receiving  days.  It  is  then  used  as  formerly,  in  conjunction  with  the 
series  of  state  parlors.  Its  walls  are  covered  with  dark  red  velvet  and  hung 
with  historical  portraits.  Its  marble  mantel  is  one  of  those  which  formerly 
adorned  the  State  Dining  Room,  the  other  was  placed  in  the  Green  Room. 

The  Green  Room. —  In  old  times  the  Green  Room  was  the  family  dining 
room.  The  present  Private  Dining  Room  was  then  used  for  state  dinners. 
Like  the  Blue  Room,  its  walls  are  hung  with  velvet;  here,  however,  the 
color  is  an  exquisite  silvery  green.  Some  of  the  original  paintings  which 
are  reproduced  in  the  White  House  Gallery  of  Portraits  of  the  Presidents, 
also  adorn  the  walls  of  this  room. 

State  and  Private  Dining  Rooms. — The  State  Dining  Room  was  en- 
larged in  1902  by  the  addition  of  a  corridor  from  which  the  private  stair- 
way led.  This  necessitated  the  removal  of  that  portion  of  the  stairs.  The 
room  now  measures  forty  by  fifty  feet  and  will  accommodate  as  many  as 
one  hundred  guests  at  table.  The  walls  are  of  panelled  oak,  and  the 
window  draperies  of  heavy  green  velvet.  Flemish  tapestries  of  the  six- 
teenth century  are  a  feature  of  the  room,  which  is  further  decorated  by  a 
number  of  heads  —  trophies  of  the  chase  in  American  hunting-grounds  — 
arranged  around  the  beautifully  carved  cornice.  The  furniture  is  of  red 
mahogany;  it  includes  two  tables,  the  larger,  crescent  in  shape,  and  the 
smaller  a  rounded  oblong. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  furnishings  of  the  State  Dining  Room  is 
the  complete  service  of  china  and  cut  glass,  manufactured  from  special 
designs  made  exclusively  for  the  White  House  and  selected  by  Mrs. 
Roosevelt  from  a  number  submitted  to  her  for  approval.  The  design  is 
simple  but  rich  in  effect  and  the  china  is  of  the  purest  texture,  the  whole 
having  been  very  costly.  The  glass,  which  includes  many  pieces,  is  of  the 
best  American  cut. 

The  Private  Dining  Room  has  been  remodelled  in  a  style  essentially 
colonial,  with  an  attractive  color  scheme  of  ivory  white  and  red.  The  ceil- 
ing is  domed  and  the  window  hangings  are  of  red  velvet.  The  furniture  in 
this  apartment  harmonizes  with  the  general  plan  of  decoration,  it  also  being 
distinctly  colonial  in  design. 

126 


• 


THE    WHITE    HOUSE 

service  on  receiving  days.  It  is  then  used  as  formerly,  in  conjunction  with  the 
series  of  state  parlors.  Its  walls  are  covered  with  dark  red  velvet  and  hung 
with  historical  portraits.-  Its  marble  mantel  is  one  of  those  which  formerly 
adorned  the  State  Dining  Room,  the  other  was  placed  in  the  Green  Room. 

The  Green  Room.—  Green  Room  was  the  family  dining 

room.     The  prt  voom  was  then  used  for  state  dinners. 

Like    the    Blue    Room,  its    walls    are  hung  with  velvet;  here,  however,  the 

color  .is  an    exquisi'  'ie  original  paintings,  which 

are  reproduced  of  Portraits  of  the  Presidents, 

also    adorn  the  room. 

State  and    Private    Dining    Rooms. — The    State    Dining  Room  was    en- 
larged   i'  fa  corridor  from  which   the  private  stair- 
led.  !                                            moval  of  that  portion  of  the  stairs.      The 
rooir.  ;--t    and  will    accommodate   as  many  as 
one    hun  r    table.       The  walls  are    of   panelled    oak,    and    the 

STATE    DINING    ROOM 

rurther    decorated    by    a 

hase    in   American  hunting-grounds  — 

arranged    ar  The    furniture    is  of  red 

mah<  tables,  ;T,  crescent    in    shape,   and    the 

sma! 

An  are  of  the  :ngs  of  the   State   Dining  Room   is 

the    complete    service    of   china    and    cut  manufactured    from    special 

designs    made    exclusively    for    the    White    House    and    selected    1 
Roosevelt  from    a    number    submitted  to  her  for  approval-.      The    desk 
simple  but  rich  in  -.d  the  china  is  of  the  purest    texture,  the   whole 

having  been  vet  'v  'ass,  which   includes  many  pieces,  is  of  the 

best    American   cut. 

The   Private   1  \oorn  has  been  remodelled   in  .a  style   essentially 

colonial,  with  an  at  of  ivory  white  and  red.     The  ceil- 

ing is  domed  .and  the  v  s  are  of  red  velvet.     The  furniture  in 

this  apartment  harmoiv  h   the  general  plan  of  decoration,  it  also  being 

distinctly  colonial  in  design. 


THE     WHITE     HOUSE 

The  Library. —  The  room,  which  is  oval  in  shape,  is  situated  on  the 
second  story  of  the  Executive  Mansion  and  was  once  used  as  the  President's 
office,  but  is  now  converted  into  a  private  sitting  room.  It  was  during 
President  Fillmore's  administration  that  the  Library  was  first  organized,  an 
appropriation  being  made  for  that  purpose.  The  low  book-cases  line  the 
walls  which  contain  over  seven  thousand  volumes,  principally  literature  of 
an  historical  and  classical  character,  and  chiefly  of  Mrs.  Fillmore's  own 
selection.  She  greatly  deplored  the  lack  of  books  in  the  White  House 
and  urged  the  need  of  a  more  extensive  Library.  However,  it  did  not 
progress,  as  it  should  have  done,  and  is  not  catalogued. 

The  Executive  Office. —  From  the  time  of  President  Lincoln's  administra- 
tion the  business  of  the  White  House  began  to  encroach  seriously  upon  the 
living  quarters.  The  discomfort  and  inconvenience  resulting  from  this  com- 
bination of  public  and  private  life  under  one  roof — and  that  a  roof  of  very 
limited  dimensions  —  had  long  been  realized.  Plans  to  relieve  the  situation 
were  occasionally  brought  forward,  but  nothing  was  accomplished  until  1902, 
when  the  reconstruction  of  the  entire  establishment  took  place.  It  was  then 
that  the  one-storied  and  basement  building  was  erected  at  the  end  of  the 
West  Terrace  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Executive  Offices.  The 
architects  have  placed  the  structure  most  effectively  in  its  relation  to  its 
surroundings.  It  contains  a  Reception  Room,  the  President's  suite  of 
rooms,  the  offices  of  the  President's  Secretary  and  Assistant  Secretary,  tele- 
graph and  telephone  rooms  and  several  other  offices.  The  building  is 
comparatively  small  and  will  probably  give  olace  to  a  larger  one  in  the 
course  of  time. 


129 


THE    LIBRARY 


OFFICIAL    ETIQUETTE 


OFFICIAL    ETIQUETTE 

AS    THE    STATE    social    functions    in    America   are   not   hedged   about    by 
the   privileges   and    prerogatives   to  which    rank,  station  and  birth  alone 
entitle   the   holder   in    monarchical   courts,    the   ceremonies,    observances 
and  ritual   are,  in   comparison,    simple   and   meagre.     No  special  lessons 
are   required    nor   are    rehearsals   needed  to   carry  off   with  proper  dignity  any  of 
the  observances   of  state   courtesy.      Nevertheless,  while   there   is   an    absence    of 
that  ostentatious   display    that    marks    the    ceremonies   of  the    courts    of   Europe, 
official    etiquette    in    America    is    prescribed    by   a   rigid    code   established   by  the 
highest  authorities,  which  none  dare  disregard. 

It  is  only  natural  that  state  receptions  should  be  governed  by  more  arbitrary 
rules  than  those  which  direct  purely  social  intercourse.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  when  an  official  reception  is  held,  it  is  always  an  official  duty  that  is  being 
performed.  The  state  forms  and  ceremonies  which  have  obtained  in  America 
have  varied  from  time  to  time  according  to  the  usages  of  the  day  and  the  taste 
of  the  national  hostess.  They  have,  at  times,  been  further  modified  by  periods 
of  national  calamity,  war  and  the  death  of  immediate  relatives,  but  through  all 
this  variation  and  modification  there  has  run  the  golden  thread  of  democratic 
simplicity  so  dear  to  the  national  heart. 

The  period  of  Washington's  administration  must  be  regarded  as  a  time  of 
transition.  Nor  is  it  to  be  wondered  at  that  much  formality  and  stateliness  marked 
the  dispensation  of  national  hospitality  in  the  beginning  of  the  nation's  develop- 
ment. The  term  "colonial"  is  to-day  associated  in  our  minds  with  a  courtly, 
stately  conventionality  peculiarly  its  own.  Men  and  women  of  that  time,  who 
either  at  first  hand  or  through  their  mothers  and  fathers,  had  received  their  edu- 
cation in  courtesy,  grace  and  proper  behavior  from  the  customs  of  England,  could 
not  easily  shake  off  that  second  nature  and  no  doubt  fretted  over  the  meagre 


135 


OFFICIAL     ETIQUETTE 

means  of  gratifying  their  wishes  ;  but  as  soon  as  they  were  cut  off  by  their  own 
desire  from  this  influence  and  became  self-dependent,  that  pure  simplicity  nur- 
tured by  individual  worth  became  evident.  It  is  not  surprising  that  in  the 
earliest  period  the  Executive  Mansion  was  a  place  of  stately  and  continuous 
reception  and  that  Martha  Washington  is  famous  for  the  dignity,  grace  and 
splendor  of  her  social  reign  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the  simplicity  of  Jefferson's 
time  has  passed  into  a  proverb,  and  was  such  as  to  excite  comment  even  abroad. 
The  youth,  gaiety  and  impetuous  brilliancy  of  "Dolly  Madison"  contributed  largely 
to  the  breaking  down  of  much  of  the  severity  and  conventionality  which  pre- 
ceded her  time. 

The  President  is  the  leader  of  social  as  well  as  of  official  life.  While  he  is 
accessible  to  all  to  the  extent  that  all  may  call  upon  him,  he  is  not  expected  to 
return  any  visits.  He,  of  course,  has  the  privilege  of  calling  upon  a  friend.  The 
same  is  equally  true  of  the  wife  of  the  President.  He  is  always  addressed  as 
''Mr.  President."  He  can  not  leave  the  country,  and  in  this  respect  is  under 
greater  restrictions  than  are  any  of  the  crowned  heads  of  Europe.  Under  this 
"unwritten  law"  a  foreign  legation  in  Washington  is  construed  as  being  foreign 
ground  and  may  not  be  entered  by  the  President.  Neither  can  he  set  foot  upon 
a  foreign  vessel.  The  only  formal  calls  that  he  can  make  are  those  upon  a 
President  elect,  an  ex-President,  a  President  or  reigning  monarch  of  a  foreign 
state  visiting  Washington.  It  is  regarded  as  an  impropriety  for  him  to  accept  an 
invitation  to  dinner  at  any  time  or  to  receive  other  than  very  intimate  friends  on 
Sunday.  He  carries  no  personal  card  but  one  reading  simply  "The  President." 
He  can  not  accept  valuable  gifts  and  if  such  are  tendered  they  are  usually  placed 
in  the  National  Museum.  It  is  not  expected  that  he  should  allow  himself  to  be 
interviewed. 

The  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  ranks  next  to  the  President  socially. 
He  takes  precedence  over  all  others  because  his  office  is  for  life  while  that  of 
others  is  only  temporary.  Below  him  in  turn  socially  come  the  Vice-President, 
the  Speaker  of  the  House,  the  General  of  the  Army  and  the  Admiral  of  the  Navy. 
It  is  considered  one  of  the  first  duties  of  the  Members  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives to  call  upon  these  when  coming  to  Washington.  The  social  rank  of 
women  is  decided  by  that  of  the  husband  or  father. 

The  Inaugural  Ball  is  the  first  social  event  in  the  life  of  the  newly  inaugurated 
President.  It  is  always  held  upon  the  evening  of  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  and 

136 


OFFICIAL     ETIQUETTE 

partakes  more  of  the  nature  of  a  reception  than  a  ball  for  it  is  so  largely  attended 
that  dancing  is  an  impossibility.  It  is  usually  held  in  one  of  the  departmental 
buildings.  For  several  days  after  his  inauguration,  public  informal  receptions 
follow  and  a  week  or  more  is  consumed  in  receptions  during  the  day  and  dinners 
at  night.  These  latter  are  classified,  to  a  certain  extent,  so  that  all  branches  of 
the  official  service  are  formally  recognized.  Saturday  is  the  official  reception  day 
at  the  White  House.  The  public  receptions  which  are  held  from  the  first  of 
January  until  the  beginning  of  Lent  were  inaugurated  by  President  Jackson.  The 
guests  assemble  in  the  East  Room  and  as  quickly  as  this  is  filled  the  President 
greets  them  as  they  pass  out.  The  formal  receptions  are  not  held  so  frequently 
as  previously,  on  account  of  the  great  increase  in  the  number  of  Senators  and  Rep- 
resentatives. This  is  compensated  for  by  inviting  some  Members  of  Congress  to 
state  dinners  and  entertaining  others  with  less  ceremony. 

The  scene  at  a  formal  or  official  reception  is  a  brilliant  one.  The  Govern- 
ment officials,  the  officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  the  foreign  legations 
mingle  together  in  uniform,  and  the  ladies  are  not  in  full  dress  but  in  reception 
toilettes.  Diplomats  and  attaches  wear  their  court  costumes.  The  President 
stands  at  the  head  of  the  line,  next  to  him  his  wife  who  invites  several  promi- 
nent ladies  to  assist  her  in  receiving.  As  the  guests  enter  they  pass  down  the 
receiving  line  until  they  have  greeted  all  of  the  ladies  of  the  receiving  party.  The 
daughters  of  the  household  of  a  state  official  are  not  invited  to  state  dinners  un- 
less the  daughter  is  the  female  representative  of  the  family. 

The  general  conduct  of,  and  the  social  observances  at  these  several  ceremo- 
nies are  the  same  as  those  which  direct  social  observances  elsewhere  in  good 
society.  The  cards  of  invitation  and  responses  to  the  ordinary  receptions  do  not 
differ  from  those  in  other  American  homes  ;  but  at  the  state  dinners  and  official 
receptions,  which  are  to  be  regarded  in  some  sense  as  an  interchange  of  inter- 
national courtesy,  the  rules  of  attendance  are  very  strict  and  no  one  would  think 
of  neglecting  to  attend  without  an  eminently  satisfactory  excuse. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


RHTD  10- 
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